Process For Indigenous Candidates

The Admissions Committee recognizes the critical shortage of Indigenous physicians in Canada and the need to educate more Indigenous physicians to serve as role models and address the health care needs of Canada's Indigenous people. The Committee has developed an alternate process for assessment of Indigenous candidates. Up to a maximum of four qualified Indigenous students per year may be admitted to the M.D. program by the alternate process. Indigenous candidates may also choose to apply through the regular admission process.

At the time of submission of their application to OMSAS, Indigenous candidates should submit:

A separate letter to the Chair, Admissions Committee, in which they declare their Indigenous ancestry and give specific information about First Nation, treaty, community, or organizational affiliation. The letter should request consideration by this alternate process, and should expand on the candidate's academic and personal background, and reasons and motivation for wishing to become a physician.

A letter of support from an individual representing the First Nation, community or organization to which the applicant belongs.

Proof of ancestry

A panel consisting of representatives from the Admissions Committee and the Indigenous community will review the files of all candidates who wish to be considered by this alternate process and select candidates for interview. The panel will pay particular attention to academic commitment towards a career in medicine. (Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates with an average GPA of less than 3.0 and an average MCAT score of less than 8 (Old MCAT) or 120 (New MCAT) be selected for interview.)

Candidates identified by the screening panel will be invited for interview at the same time as the general pool of applicants. The candidates will participate in the MMI. The panel interview team will include representatives from the Indigenous community.

For recruitment events or questions pertaining to Indigenous involvment at Queen's School of Medicine, please contact Ann Deer